Although Zhang Miao had already anticipated the scene at the Uchiha settlement, upon witnessing it firsthand, he realized he had underestimated the extent of the Uchiha clan's annihilation.
Walking alongside Izumi, the scattered bodies strewn along the streets and the blood flowing like streams, painted a horrifying picture.
Zhang Miao was accustomed to grand scenes; having caused the deaths of over ten thousand enemies, seeing this sight merely caused a slight frown.
However, it was different for Izumi. Her mental endurance couldn't match Zhang Miao's. Upon witnessing the gruesome scene, she immediately covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes filled with terror.
"How could this happen... How could it be... How could..."
Sensing Izumi's extreme mental instability, to prevent her from suffering further harm, Zhang Miao decisively made a move. He swiftly delivered a karate chop to her neck, rendering her unconscious.
After incapacitating Izumi, Zhang Miao immediately created a Wood Clone and issued instructions.
"You, take Izumi to my place. The 'Root' agents outside are responsible for sealing the area. Avoid conflict with them. Go!"
"Okay!"
Upon hearing Zhang Miao's command, his Wood Clone promptly agreed and carried the unconscious Izumi away.
Standing in place, watching the Wood Clone disappear into the night with Izumi, Zhang Miao took a deep breath and sprinted towards the center of the Uchiha clan settlement.
Within the entire Uchiha clan, there were only two individuals Zhang Miao wanted to save: Izumi and Uchiha Mikoto.
Now that Izumi had been rescued, only Uchiha Mikoto remained.
"Aunt Mikoto has been so kind to me, and she's also a close friend of Big Sis Kushina. I can't let her fall victim to Itachi's blade. I hope I'm not too late!"
At this moment, Zhang Miao hoped that Itachi wouldn't act too quickly, giving him some time to save her.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. When Zhang Miao arrived at Fugaku's house, he saw a small figure rushing out of the yard.
Upon seeing this small figure, surprise flickered across Zhang Miao's face.
"Sasuke?"
As it turned out, this small figure was none other than Fugaku's son, Itachi's younger brother—Uchiha Sasuke!
Unfortunately, Sasuke didn't notice Zhang Miao at this moment. After running out of his own yard, he stumbled into the adjacent alley, crying out as he ran.
"Don't kill me... Brother, don't kill me..."
After Sasuke rushed out, a man dressed in Anbu attire also emerged from the house and leaped onto the roadside electric pole.
Then, his voice reached Zhang Miao's ears.
"Foolish little brother, if you want to kill me, hate me, detest me, and live on in disgrace..."
Zhang Miao: "..."
Damn it, just hearing this voice, I know this guy on the utility pole is definitely Itachi!
Thinking this, Zhang Miao couldn't help but sigh helplessly.
"Ah... I didn't expect, no matter how hard I tried to rush here, I'm still damn late. It's already at the 'foolish little brother' stage. Aunt Mikoto is probably already dead, isn't she? Damn Itachi, why is he so quick?!"
Itachi was unaware that Zhang Miao was cursing him in his mind at that moment. He was still trying hard to incite Sasuke's hatred.
"Escape... Survive as best as you can, until you have the same eyes as me, then come find me..."
"Screw you, Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
Furious, Zhang Miao's attack was swift and fierce. By the time Itachi heard his voice, Zhang Miao's leg was already in front of him.
For Itachi, who had experienced Zhang Miao's taijutsu since childhood, he knew that Zhang Miao's moves were forceful and powerful, not suitable for direct confrontation.
But dodging was too late at this point, so he could only cross his arms in defense.
"Bang!"
Zhang Miao's leg heavily kicked Itachi's crossed arms. Under the impact, Itachi was shot like a cannonball straight to the ground, smashing the wall of the alley.
Amidst the dust, sounds of coughing emerged from the collapsed wall.
"Cough... I didn't expect it would be you. Is Danzo intending to wipe out everyone?"
The speaker wasn't anyone else but the Itachi, who had been kicked down by Zhang Miao.
At this moment, he slowly emerged from the dust, and under the moonlight, one could clearly see traces of blood on the corners of his mouth.
Apparently, under Zhang Miao's attack just now, he had suffered serious internal injuries!
However, Zhang Miao didn't stop just because Itachi was injured. As Itachi's words fell, Zhang Miao leaped down from the utility pole, swinging his leg like an axe.
"Heavenly Foot of Pain!"
At this moment, Zhang Miao executed the famous "Heavenly Foot of Pain", one of Tsunade's signature moves. Itachi knew this move, so he didn't dare to be careless and hurriedly dodged.
In the split second he dodged, Zhang Miao's foot struck the ground heavily, emitting a dull loud sound.
"Bang!"
Amidst the flying debris, Zhang Miao raised his head, looking furious at Itachi.
"Darn you, "parents-killer" Itachi! I don't care if you want to kill your dad, but what did Aunt Mikoto do wrong? Yet, you laid your hands on her. Are you even human?"
Upon hearing Zhang Miao's question, Itachi immediately frowned.
"You're not from Danzo's side?"
"See for yourself!"
Itachi's words obviously hit a nerve again. Zhang Miao, who had previously stopped, once again charged forward, throwing a right hook aimed at Itachi's left cheek.
However, contrary to Zhang Miao's expectations, Itachi, who could have easily dodged, chose not to move, letting Zhang Miao's fist strike his face.
"Bang!"
Although Zhang Miao didn't employ his full strength at that moment, even an ordinary punch from him was beyond the capabilities of an average person.
After taking this punch, Itachi was sent flying several meters like a volleyball hit by an athlete, "bang" sound as he crashed to the ground, struggling for a few times before standing up.
Seeing this scene, Zhang Miao immediately furrowed his brows.
"Why didn't you dodge? Did you think if you let me hit you deliberately, I'd calm down?"
"No..." As Zhang Miao's words trailed off, Itachi, who had just gotten up from the ground, immediately shook his head. "I didn't think that way. I just want to ask you for one thing!"
"Ask me for something?" Hearing Itachi's words, Zhang Miao's brows furrowed even deeper. "Don't tell me you want me to take care of Sasuke?"
In Zhang Miao's view, with Itachi's 'super sibling complex' nature, he must want him to help take care of Sasuke.
However, to his surprise, as soon as he finished speaking, Itachi shook his head again.
"No... not Sasuke. I want to ask you to take my parents' bodies to the Temple of the Nether King and then resurrect them. This is my only plea. I am willing to pay any price for this, under the reign of the King of the Underworld!"
As Itachi's words fell, the system prompt also sounded in Zhang Miao's mind.
"Ding... Congratulations to His Holiness, for listening to Itachi's plea and obtaining 7-star Kage-level, Uchiha Itachi Ninja Fragment x10! As long as His Holiness agrees to the ninja's plea, His Holiness will gain absolute favorability from that ninja!"